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Birchington-on-Sea is a village and civil parish in Thanet, Kent, lying between Herne Bay and Margate. According to the 2001 census the registration district of this name had a population of 9,827, although the town itself boasts 14,000 people, and calls itself "Kent's largest village".
The parish church, with 13th century origins, is dedicated to All Saints; two other churches nearby are St Thomas at Minnis Bay (a popular seaside holiday destination) and St Mildred at Acol, Kent. The seashore here is part of the Thanet Coast Project, a European-recognised site for wildlife, particularly birds and marine life.
Birchington is known for its connection with the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who is buried in the churchyard of All Saints church, and his sister, the poet Christina Rossetti. Quex Park, a local mansion house, houses the Powell Cotton Museum exhibiting exotic animal displays and porcelain. The owner of Quex Park in 1819, John Powell Powell, built the Waterloo Tower in the grounds to house twelve bells, which are still rung today.
It has a railway station with regular trains running to Ramsgate and London as well as frequent bus links to neighbouring areas such as Canterbury, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
Birchington has a primary school called Birchington Church of England Primary School. It was founded in Victorian times.
External links
"Birchington-on-Sea"